BA Elementary Education

Bachelor of Arts in Education

Major in Elementary Education

127 Credits

Offered at the Metro Orlando, South Florida, and Tampa Bay Branch Campuses

Program Description:

The Bachelor of Arts in Education has three components: general education, professional education requirements, and major requirements. The program includes instruction in the subject matter content standards specified by the Education Standards Commission and the Educator Accomplished Practices to meet Florida’s Requirements. Program graduates are required to demonstrate mastery of the Educator Accomplished Practices and Subject Area Competencies by passing all state certification exams.

The program integrates a clinical field experience project at a school setting in the main focus of each education course. The curriculum integrates instructional practices in understanding the reading process, beginning reading and instruction, assessment, problem identification, and prescription and teaching reading across the content areas for primary and intermediate grades. The program also integrates instructional requirements in Florida in the areas of classroom management, school safety, professional ethics, and educational law. Students will develop application’s skills to evaluate understanding of the content measured to meet state achievement tests, reading, interpretation data, and using data to improve student’s achievement.

It includes the practicum in teaching that lasts 12 weeks providing students with field experiences to demonstrate the Educator Accomplished Practices in a school setting during the regular school year. Students must be aware that the internship is performed during a regular school day schedule. It provides teacher candidates with a solid preparation in the field of education.

Courses and field experiences include targeted instruction, observation, practice, and competency demonstration in the following state mandated areas:

teaching strategies for the instruction of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students which meet the requirements set forth in the ESOL Consent Decree of 1990 for instructional personnel who teach LEP students in Florida.

Specific courses are integrated in the curriculum in order to satisfy the 5 ESOL Standards and the specific Performance Indicators for each standard set by the State of Florida. Students must comply with state and local requirements or limitations to practice the education profession. The practicum in teaching lasts 12 weeks providing students with field experiences to demonstrate mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices in a school setting during the regular school year. Students must be aware that the internship is performed during a regular school day schedule. The internship experience is in English only. Students must demonstrate English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The student must refer to the Internship Handbook available from the Academic Director for specific requirements and procedures.

Program Objectives:

The students will:

Understand the importance of the social and personal mission of the teaching profession.

Accept the changes that will lead to the broadening of their knowledge and experience as teachers and use that knowledge effectively in the teaching - learning process.

Choose and effectively use resources and materials to improve their teaching methods.

Understand and use different educational strategies and techniques effectively.

To develop among students good interpersonal and communication skills.

Be exposed to a variety of experiences that will help them to develop the skills, attitudes and abilities in order to become change agents in the field of education.

Develop awareness of the responsibility of keeping abreast in their fields of specialization.

Understand, revise, and enrich the curriculum of their area of specialization.

Be able to incorporate technological innovations into their personal life and their teaching.

Develop the skills that will make them lifelong learners.

Program Outcomes:

use diverse techniques in teaching at the elementary level,

introduce technological techniques in their methodology,

develop classroom assessment,

develop portfolio,

develop lesson plans,

enroll in continuing education courses,

communicate adequately in English & Spanish both orally and in writing

Admission Requirements:

1. Minimun GPA 2.50

Education Programs Internship Requirements

All students seeking an education degree must achieve a passing score on the Florida State Teacher Exam (Basic General Knowledge Test) before initiating the internship experience at a public school setting. The student must provide evidence of the passing score on the Florida State Teacher Exam as part of the passing grade of the last internship seminar course. If a student does not pass the required Florida State exam, he/she will have to repeat the course. Additionally, before seeking a teaching position, graduates must comply with all Florida State Certification exams and requirements.

General Education Courses (51 Credits)

SCIE 111-O Integrated Science I

SCIE 112-O Integrated Science II

ENGL 115-O College, Reading and Writing I

ENGL 116-O College, Reading and Writing II

ENGL 331-O Public Speaking

SPAN 115-O Reading Writing, and the Oral Communication in Spanish I

SPAN 116-O Reading Writing, and the Oral Communication in Spanish II

SPAN 255-O Spanish for Writing and Research

HUMA 101-O World Cultures I

HUMA 102-O World Cultures II

MATH 111-O Intermediate Algebra I

MATH 112-O Intermediate Algebra II

SOSC 111-O Individual, Community, Government, and Social Responsibility I